Samarth Medakkar

Governor JB Pritzker once again showed Illinois’s national leadership today in signing the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA). Comprised of several programs, CRGA ensures substantially more battery storage will be built in Illinois, facilitates more investment in renewable energy resources, creates an innovative virtual power plant (VPP) program, and strengthens energy efficiency programs.

Canary Media reports that Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill (HB 4120) that would establish a basic virtual power plant (VPP) program and require the state’s two largest utilities to propose their own VPP programs by 2027. United’s Samarth Medakkar spoke to the benefits of VPPs in lowering electricity costs and reducing strain on the grid during times of peak demand.

Inside Climate News reports that the Illinois state legislature failed to pass a comprehensive energy bill—aimed at advancing clean energy technologies and renewable energy projects—before adjourning their Spring legislative session. Concerns over increased load growth and rising electricity rates overshadowed the legislature’s consideration of the bill. To combat these concerns, Illinois lawmakers and advanced energy experts, including United’s Samarth Medakkar, engaged with stakeholders to find common ground on measures that will accelerate battery storage deployment to help relieve grid strain and reduce costs.

Canary Media reports that Illinois lawmakers are pushing to pass legislation that would jumpstart large-scale battery storage deployment to meet the state’s clean energy goals and growing energy demand. United’s Samarth Medakkar called on state legislators to swiftly pass the proposed bills, emphasizing that prompt action would enable Illinois to procure energy storage projects—enhancing grid reliability, stimulating economic growth, and lowering electricity costs for consumers.

In an opinion piece for Crain’s Chicago Business, United’s Samarth Medakkar and Climate Control Group’s Joe Parsons highlight the cost savings and grid benefits of geothermal heating and cooling, urging lawmakers to expand access to these proven technologies by passing House Bills 3399 and 3609.

The Center Square reports that State Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) and Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) filed Senate Bill 2497, which aims to create 15-gigawatt battery storage facilities to store wind and solar energy across the state. United’s Samarth Medakkar spoke at a press conference to push for more energy storage solutions to meet rising energy demand and reduce electricity costs for Illinois’ residents.

Illinois families and businesses would see lower energy bills under HB3758/SB2497, a newly filed bill by Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) and Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago).

In an op-ed to Crain’s Business Chicago, United’s Samarth Medakkar writes that the Illinois Commerce Commission’s choice to suspend the Peoples Gas’ pipe replacement program was in the best interest of consumers as cleaner and more affordable heat pump alternatives are available.

A report by Strategen Consulting and Advanced Energy United recommends Michigan policymakers focus on cost-containment strategies for natural gas.

In her “What’s Next Address,” Governor Whitmer named her clean energy priorities for the remainder of the legislative session, among them: reforms to permitting of large-scale renewable energy, a 100% clean energy standard, improvements to utility energy waste reduction programs, and authorization of the Public Service Commission to consider equity and climate in its regulation of utilities.

In a letter to the editor of the Chicago Sun-Times, Samarth Medakkar writes about equitable consumer protection enforcement for all utilities.